Separable key-head and filing system

ABSTRACT

A key system especially suited for handling a multiplicity of different keys with facility, reducing their weight and bulk and assuring their accurate selection as circumstances require; and comprised of a releasible coupling configuration incorporated in the separate multiplicity of keys and in the single operating head therefor respectively; and all of which reduces the keys to their minimum shank configurations containing the lock combinations adapted to be stored in individual file pockets.

United States Patent 91 Simorghi SEPARABLE KEY-HEAD AND FILING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Parvis Simorghi, 10645 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 [22] Filed: Feb. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 226,496

52 vs. Cl. 70/395 51 int. Cl E05b 19/04 58 Field of Search 70/393, 395,408, 70/456 R, 396, 397

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,349,589 10/1967 Fricke 70/395 2,945,373 7/1960 POWerS..... 70/395 3,587,260 6/1971 Tajiri 70/395 3,481,163 12/1969 Unter 70/408 [4 Dec. 25, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,204,266 l/l960 France 70/408 Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney-William H. Maxwell [5 7 ABSTRACT A key system especially suited for handling a multiplicity of different keys with facility, reducing their weight and bulk and assuring their accurate selection as circumstances require; and comprised of a releasible coupling configuration incorporated in the separate multiplicity of keys and in the single operating head therefor respecitively; and all of which reduces the keys to their minimum shank configurations containing the lock combinations adapted to be stored in individual file pockets.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 SEPARABLE KEY-HEAD AND FILING SYSTEM This application is co-pending with my application for Letters Patent entitled SEPARABLE KEY-HEAD LATCH AND CASE, Ser. No. 280,658, filed Aug. 14, 1972.

BACKGROUND The usual key for a lock is an elongated metal article comprised of a shank and a head. The shank and head are joined by a neck which may or may not be narrowed, and all of which are integrally formed of a substance metal such as brass and in some instances steel or other metals. For example, keys tend to be heavy in which case light weight metals such as aluminum are used in their formation. Thus, such keys which vary in size also vary in the configuration of both the shanks and heads, but in any case become cumbersome and difficult to handle and to identify when accumulated together in multiplicity. For instance, a key ring with a substantial number of keys thereon is space consuming, rather heavy, and detrimental to furnishings into which it necessarily comes into contact. That is, approximately half the bulk and weight of a usual key is the head, and the hard nature of the heavy metals used is damaging to the fabrics of clothing and as well to the decorative surfaces which are invariably contacted. Furthermore, key identification out of an aggregation of keys can be difficult, since keys often have an undefinable similarity in appearance. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide for separability of the basic key element from the head element thereof so as to effect a commensurate-reduction in bulk and weight while increasing utilitywith a correlated filing means which advantageously employs a head which is universally applicable to all of the key shanks prepared therefor.

FIELD OF lNVENTlON There is a variety of key designs and configurations and the art is well developed in its supply of various key blanks which fit into the tumblers of locks so as to activate them into opening positions. Not only does the size vary widely but also the cross sectional configuration of the shanks. it is an object therefore to provide for key head separability which is universally applicable to most all keys. With the" present invention, any key shank or blank of more than a predetermined minimum thickness can be processed to have the necessary coupling configuration required, and/or specially prepared key blanks having said thickness and coupling configurations can be provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a universally applicable coupler for joining key shanks to a head adapted to be manipulated in the usual manner. With the present invention, separability is accomplished with the application of mild force, while the drive capability of the resulting connection is unrestricted. That is, high torque can be applied and transmitted through the head coupled to a key shank, the releasability remaining subject to the application of but slight force.

Another object of this invention is to provide for the non-cumbersome filing of keys, and preferably in the form of a flat folder having identified pockets into which the key shanks are received so as to lie flat, and all to the end that a multiplicity of keys can be carried in a packet lying flat against a persons body; and al- 2 ways available with clarity of identification and readily adaptable to the head which can be attached to the file or as a separate loose article with distinguishing features for the purpose intended.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to keys for locks and facilitates the handling and/or carrying of a multiplicity of keys in an ordinary manner and within a confined space. The size and shape of keys vary greatly, and it is the head portion of the key which aggravates bulk and weight. Consequently, the aggregation of a number of keys usually results in a cumbersome arrangement, as and when they are arranged upon chains, rings or within holders and cases; and it is these characteristics which are objected to and which are obviated to by the present invention that involves the separation of the key shank S from the key head H and that advantageously utilizes the neck N in the formation of a coupling C which comprises a releasably detented male and female connection transmitting rotative torque. Practicality resides in the separable key, as it is disclosed herein, due to the reduction in size and weight and uniformity of general configuration; and all of which makes feasible the storage facility disclosed herein as a filing case A having pockets accommodating the individually identified key shanks S. As is shown, but one head H need be employed and adapted to receive any one of said keys for its subsequent manipulation in a lock.

DRAWINGS The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred forms and applications thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the separable keyhead and filing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the separation of the key shank and head.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the head and taken as indicated by line 33 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the key shank and coupler means applied thereto.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are illustrative views showing the application of cutters used inprofiling the key into the formation thereof shown throughout the drawings, and

F IG. 7 is a modified form of the head adapted to re, ceive the key shanks.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is a wide variety of key shapes, each characterized by a shank S and a head joined by a neck N. The shank S is an elongated member of predetermined cross sectional configuration adapted tobe inserted into a complementary lock opening, there being a stop shoulder 10 at the base end of the shank where it adjoins the neck. One or more margins 11 of the key shank are profiled to have the proper tumbler positioning combination for the lock mechanism which it actuates to open, and the nose 12 is tapered to facilitate entry into the lock. As shown, the flutes that are formed into the shank to establish its cross sectional configuration extend into the base, beyond the normal plane of stop shoulder 10, and typically enter into the neck N as shown. The head of the ordinary or original key is an enlarged flat sided member adapted to pre- 3 hensile manipulation between the thumb and finger of a persons hand, and it is this head which is removed and/or modified so as to establish the cooperative features of the coupling C later described. Dependent upon design, the shank S and head of the key are joined by the neck N which may or may not be reduced or indented; but in any case the head continues from the neck and enlarges as shown in F IG. 5. Thus, the ordinary key is characteristically a flat article with the head enlarged in the flat plane thereof, thereby presenting adequate material for the coupling formation immediately adjacent the neck end and/or base end of the shank S.

In accordance with this invention, the key member per se is established in the formation of the shank S, a modified key or a specially made key. That is, this invention lends itself to versatility in the use of old as well as new keys, and either of which are adapted to be used with a common key head H. Disregarding the flatpattern shape of the key, the head is substantially reduced and all but eliminated by using a profile cutter B such as in H0. 5 of the drawings, said cutter being aligned with the axis a of the shank S and operated to reshape the half breadth thereof as shown, the profiling operation being repeated to reshape the opposite half breadth.

The thickness of usual keys varies nominally from 0.060 to 0.125 of an inch, and consequently a uniform thickness for the coupling member of shank S is limited to the minimum thickness of 0.060 and to this end a straddle cutter D, such as is shown in FIG. 6 is operated to reduce the thickness of heavy keys to a uniform size adapted to cooperate with the coupling member of the head H.

Referring now to the coupling C, a releasable snaptogether connection is to be desired, and to this end a male and female detent joinder of shank S to head H is established by means of a projection on one part which forceably enters a socket in the other part. In practice, it is most practical to form the male part on the shank S of durable inflexible material such as metal, and to form the female part into the head H of a resilient material. Thus, the coupling C in its preferred form is comprised of a male member projecting from the base and/or neck N of shank S, and a female member 30 recessed in the head H. The two coupling members 20 and 30 are complementary members forceably fitted one into the other for coupled engagement, the female member 30 yielding to and complying with the configuration of the male member 20 so as to establish a tight substantial inflexible coupling. The male coupling member 20 is essentially a driven member that projects from rear shoulder 21 of the neck N. Shoulder 21 is in a transverse plane normal to the sides and axis a of the shank S and from which the member 20 projects rearwardly. The said member 20 is bar-shaped with a flat face 22 spaced from and parallel with the shoulder 21 and is characterized by flatened and opposite parallel outer side walls 23 extending transversely of the shank S with opposite lugs or cars 24 at its terminal ends. The ears 24 are formed as by cutting notches into the key head (see cutter B in FlG. 5), and convexly rounded so as to have a smoothness of action as well as a good appearance. As illustrated, the bar-shaped member 20 can be reduced in thickness if so required between side walls 23 thereof (see cutter D in F l0. 6) when the shank S is heavier than the nominal'dimension required for fitting into the complementary female coupling member 30.

The female coupling member 30 is essentially a driving member that extends into the front face 31 of the head H. In carrying out this invention, the head H is a body of resilient material sufficiently deflective to permit forceable entry and removal of the male member 20. For example, the head H is a flat member of suitable lateral extent as shown, and thicker than the barshaped member 20 so as to have inner side walls 32 which embrace the said member 20 when in coupled engagement therewith. As shown, the front face 31 is flat and the female recess enters therein to have a seat 33 spaced therefrom and parallel therewith to have flat and firm engagement with the rearwardly disposed face 22 of the male member 20. The female recess 30 is complementary in shape to the bar shaped male member 20, and has opposite inner side walls 32 extending transversely and opposite indentions 34. The said indentions 34 establish a restrictive opening for the forceable reception of the opposite ears 24, whereby deflection of the body of head H permits entry and removal of the male member 20. in practice, the head H and its female coupling member can be reinforced by a spring detent 35 that is accommodated in a groove at the periphery of head H and with inturned ends establishing yieldable detent restrictions at the opposite recesses 34. The depth of the inturned detents 33 or of the recess 34, the resilience of the material forming the head H and the thickness of the supporting wall structures of head H are the determining factors in establishing the amount of force required to make the coupled connection and disconnection; the parts being proportioned substantially as shown.

From the foregoing it will be seen that l have provided a coupling means that is universally applicable to substantially all keys whether made especially for this purpose or modified to be so used. In carrying out this invention the head H can be connected to a file A by means of a ring or chain 40. The file A can be a folder or the like with pockets 41 and each with an indicia identifying the key shank S accommodated theren. It is a simple matter to extract an identifiable key shank S,

to forceably insert the same into the head H, and to subsequently manipulate the same in a lock, all as circumstances require.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art:

I claim:

l.'A separable key shank and head with coupling means therefor comprising, a transversely disposed bar-shaped male member projecting from the key shank and having opposite laterally projecting ears, the said head being made of resilient material with a complementary female member recessed in the head and having laterally opposite indentations forceably receiving said bar-shaped male member and its opposite laterally projecting ears.

2. The separable key shank and head therefor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bar-shaped male member projecting from the key shank has opposite parallel transversly disposed sides interfacially and positionably engageable in the complementary recessed female member having parallel transversely disposed sides.

has a rearwardly disposed face and opposite parallel transversely disposed sides and engageable in the complementary recessed female member formed in the head and having a forwardly disposed seat to engageably and positionably receive the rearwardly disposed face of said male member and having parallel transversely disposed sides to interfacially and positionably engage the opposite parallel sides of said male member. 

1. A separable key shank and head with coupling means therefor comprising, a transversely disposed bar-shaped male member projecting from the key shank and having opposite laterally projecting ears, the said head being made of resilient material with a complementary female member recessed in the head and having laterally opposite indentations forceably receiving said bar-shaped male member and its opposite laterally projecting ears.
 2. The separable key shank and head therefor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bar-shaped male member projecting from the key shank has opposite parallel transversly disposed sides interfacially and positionably engageable in the complementary recessed female member having parallel transversely disposed sides.
 3. The separable key shank and head threfor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transversely disposed male member projecting from the key shank has a rearwardly disposed face engageable in the complementary recessed female member having a forwardly disposed seat to engageably and positionably receive said face.
 4. The separable key shank and head therefor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transversely disposed bar-shaped male member projecting from the key shank has a rearwardly disposed face and opposite parallel transversely disposed sides and engageable in the complementary recessed female member formed in the head and having a forwardly disposed seat to engageably and positionably receive the rearwardly disposed face of said male member and having parallel transversely disposed sides to interfacially and positionably engage the opposite parallel sides of said male member. 